Ron

Sheila's car is having issues again.

Her clutch pedal has slowly been getting more difficult to press. The clutch is not slipping or showing any other symptoms. The pressure plate, friction disk and throw-out bearing were replaced two years ago.

I took it by the shop and they say, yup, need a new clutch, throw-out bearing and pressure plate. Wear is causing the difficult pedal movement.

Questions.

Is a symptom of a worn clutch slowly increasing difficulty in pressing the clutch pedal?

If the clutch really has worn out (but isn't slipping) are all three pieces needed or just a new friction disk?

Any other ideas about what could cause these symptoms?

Thanks,

Saki GT

My experience with something similar was with a Porsche - the clutch pedal got progressively harder to press and I was told it was the Pressure Plate going bad, but that's all I have to offer here. I kept driving the car without any other issues though (and built up leg muscle ).

If the clutch isn't slipping, I'd say the clutch plate is fine. If the pedal feels firm, I don't think there's air in the system. If there's no rattle when the clutch pedal is pressed, I'd say the throwout bearing is good.... what PP did you two put in when you had the clutch assembly replaced?

If you have to replace one part.... might as well replace them all.

photown

I would bleed the clutch first.

SpitfireS

Search for "sticky clutch" by dbzerk.
Very good thread with pictures.
In another (or the same) sticky clutch thread is the advice from Billman to put a "tictac" of grease on the throwout guide sleeve through the clutch fork opening.
Also grease the clutch fork pivot points.
That and dbzerks advice made my clutch work
When lifting the pedal it follows my foot with constant pressure.
It is as smooth as new pressing the clutch pedal.

Wear IS causing the clutch to be hard to press: lack of grease on the throwout guide is the start of the problem.

Succes

P.S. those "sticky clutch" posts should be in the stickies IMO!
Now you have to stick to the PC for sticky hours finding sticky clutch posts.

Billman250

Put some grease on:

The tips of the fork where it contacts the TO bearing.

The ball end of the slave where it contacts the fork.

Guaranteed

Ron

As always, thanks to Bill and the entire UTH crew.

I was planning on replacing brake pads on both cars Saturday anyway, so I'll grease her up and report back.

Billman250

Pull the slave (leave the hyd line connected)

pull the fork boot

disengage the fork, reach in with a coathanger, touch the tips of the fork (where it contacts the TO bearing) with a lil dab of grease

put some grease on the ball end of the slave

put some grease on the OUTSIDE of the slave boot, it will help it slide through the fork boot and not curl it back

Ron

That did it!

Thanks everyone. You guys rule.